Skip to main content

Full text of "The constitution of the Pennsylvania Society, for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the relief of free Negroes, unlawfully held in bondage : begun in the year 1774 and enlarged on the twenty-third of April 1787 : to which are added the acts of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, for the gradual abolition of slavery"

See other formats


THE 


CONSTITUTION 


OF    T  K  E 


Pennfylvania  Society, 


f  o  a 


PROMOTING 


THE 


Abolition  of  Slavery,  8cc* 


\  » 


THE 

CONSTITUTI  O  N 

OF     THE 

Pennfylvania  Society, 

FOR    PROMOTING    THE 

ABOLITION    OF    SLAVERY, 

AND    THE    RELIEF    OF 

F  RE  E     NEGROES, 

UNLAWFULLY    HELD    IN 

BONDAGE. 

BEGUN  IN  THE  YEAR  1774,  AND  ENLAGRED  ON  THE 

"    c 

TWENTY-THIRD    OF    APRIL,    I787. 
TO     WHICH     ARE    ADDED, 

THE    ACTS    OF    THE 

General  Affembly  of  Pennfylvania, 

FOR    THE 

Gradual  Abolition  of  Slavery. 

"  All  1  kings  nvbatfocver ye  would  that  Men  JJjonld  do  to  you,  do 
ye  even  fo  to  them  \  for  this  is  the  Law  and  the  Prophets  " 
Mat.  vii.    12. 

PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED    BY     JOSEPH     JAMES,    IN    CHESNUT-STREIT, 
Irl.DCC.LXXXVII. 


■5Y  A9ttC 


THE 

CONSTITUTION 

OF    THE 

Pennfylvania  Society 

FOR    PROMOTING    THE 

ABOLITION   of    SLAVERY, 

AND    THE    RELIEF    OF 

FREE  NEGROES, 

UNLAWFULLY    HELD    IN 

B         O         N         D         A         G         E  ; 

;KLARGED  AT  PHILADELPHIA,  APRIL  23d,  1 787, 


IT  having  pleafed  the  Creator  of  the  world,  to  make  of  one  Introdu&ion. 
flefn,  all  the  children  of  men — it  becomes  them  to  confult 
and  promote  each  other's  happinefs,  as  members  of  the  fame 
family,  however  diverfined  they  may  be,  by  colour,  fituation, 
religion,  or  different  Hates  of  fociety.  It  is  more  efpecially 
the  duty  of  thofe  perfons,  who  profefs  to  maintain  for  them- 
felves  the  rights  of  human  nature,  and  who  acknowledge  the 
obligations  of  Chriftianity,  to  ufe  fuch  means  as  are  in  their 
power,  to  extend  the  bleiiings  of  freedom  to  every  part  of  the 
human  race  ;  and  in  a  more  particular  manner,  to  fuch  of  their 
fellow-creatures,  as  are  entitled  to  freedom  by  the  laws  and 
conftitutions  of  any  of  the  United  States,  and  who,  notwkh- 
fianding,  are  detained  in  bondage,  by  fraud  or  violence. — > 
From  a  full  conviclion  of  the  truth  and  obligation  of  thefe 
principles — from  a  defire  to  diffufe  them,  wherever  the  miferies 
and  vices  of  flavery  exift,  and  in  humble  confidence  of  the 
favour  and  fupport  of  the  Father  of  Mankind,  the  fubfcribers 
have  affociated  themfelves  under  the  title  of  the  ss  Pennfylva- 
nia Society  for  promoting  the  abolition  of  flavery,  and  the  re- 
lief of  free  Negroes  unlawfully  held  in  bondage." 


For  effecting   thefe  purpofeSj   they  have  adopted   the  fol- 
lowing conftitution :  I.  The 


{  6  J 

The  Officers  of  I.  The  officers  of  the  fociety  fhall  confifl:  of  a  prefident, 
the  fociety.  two  vice-prefidents,  two  fecretaries,  a  treafarer,  four  coun- 
fellors,  an  electing  committee  of  twelve,  and  an  acting  com- 
mittee of  fix  members  ;  all  of  whom,  except  the  laft  named 
committee,  mail  be  chofen  annually  by  ballot,  on  the  firft 
second-day  called  Monday,  in  the  month  called  January. 

Duty  of  the  jj#  The  prefident,  and  in  his  abfence  one  of  the  vice-pre- 
52«SJ fndfidents,  fhall  prefide  in  all  the  meetings,  and  fubfcribe  all  the 
dents.  public  acts  of  the  fociety.     The  prefident,   or  in  his  abfence, 

either  of  the  vice-prefidents,  fhall  moreover  have  the  power  of 
calling  a  fpecial  meeting  of  the  fociety  whenever  he  fhall  judge 
proper.  A  fpecial  meeting  fhall  likewife  be  called  at  any  time/ 
when  fix  members  of  the  fociety  fhall  concur  in  requeuing  it. 

Of  the  fecreta-  III.  The  fecretaries  fhall  keep  fair  records  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  fociety,  and  fhall  correfpond  with  fuch  perfons  and  focie- 
ties,  as  may  be  judged  neceffary  to  promote  the  views  and  ob- 
jects of  the  inftitution. 


Ties. 


rer 


Of  the  treafu-  IV.  The  treafurer  mail  keep  all  the  monies  and  fecurities 
belonging  to  the  fociety,  and  fhall  pay  all  orders  figned  by 
the  prefident  or  one  of  the  vice-prefidents — which  orders  fhall 
be  his  vouchers  for  his  expenditures.  He  fnall,  before  he  en- 
ters upon  his  office,  give  a  bond  of  not  lefs  than  two  hun- 
dred pounds,  for  the  faithful  difcharge  of  the  duties  of  it. 

Of  the  coim-      V.  The  bufinefs  of  the  counfellors  fhall  be  to  explain  the 
fellors.  jaws  au(j  conftitutions  of  the  ftates,  which  relate  to  the  eman- 

cipation of  Haves,  and  to  urge  their  claims  to  freedom,  when 
legal,  before  fuch  perfons  or  courts  as  are  authorized  to  decide 
upon  thern. 

Of  che  electing  VI.  The  electing  committee  mall  have  the  fole  power  of  ad- 
comimttee.  mitting  new  members.  Two-thirds  of  them  fhall  be  a  quo- 
rum for  this  purpofe — and  the  concurrence  of  a  majority  of 
them  by  ballot,  when  met,  fhall  be  neceiTary  for  the  admiilion 
of  a  member.  No  member  fhall  be  admitted,  who  has  not 
been  propofed  at  a  general  meeting  of  the  fociety,  nor  fhall  sn 
election  for  a  member  take  place  in  lefs  than  one  month  after 
the  time  of  his  being  propofed.  Foreigners  or  perfons  who  do 
not  refide  in  this  flate,  may  be  elected  correfponding  members 
of  the  fociety,  without  being  fubjecl  to  any  annual  payment, 
and  fhall  be  admitted  to  the  meetings  of  the  fociety  during 
their  rdidence  in  the  flate. 

After 


(    7    ) 

VII.  The  a&ing  committee  mall  tranfacl    fuch  bufinefs  Duty  of  the 
as    mall  occur  in  the  recefs  of  the  fociety,  and   report  the  adinS  com- 

fame  at  each  quarterly  meeting. They  (hall  have  a  right,  mittee* 

with  the  concurrence  of  the  prefident  or  one  of  the  vice- 
prefidents,  to  draw  upon  the  treafurer  for  fuch  fums  of  mo- 
ney as  mall  be  neceffary  to  carry  on  the  bufinefs  of  their 
appointment.     Four  of  them  mall  be  a  quorum.     After  their 

firft.  election,  two  of  their  number  (hall  be  relieved  from  duty 
at  each  quarterly  meeting,  and  two  members  mail  be  appointd 
to  fucceed  them. 

VIII.  Every  member  npon  his  admhTion,  {hall  fubfcribe  the  Sum  tou»  pa^ 
conftitution  of  the  fociety,  and  contribute  ten  millings  annually  annually. 

in  quarterly  payments,  towards  defraying  its  contingent  ex- 
pences.  If  he  neglects  to  pay  the  fame  for  more  than  two 
years,  he  mall,  upon  due  notice  being  given  him  of  his  delin- 
quency, ceafe  to  be  a  member. 

IX.  The  fociety  (hall  meet  on  the  firft  second-day  called  Days  of  meet- 
Monday,  in  the  months  called  January,  April,  July  and  Ofto-  ing. 

ber,  at  fuch  place  as  mall  be  agreed  to  by  a  majority  of  the 
fociety. 

X.  No  perfon  holding  a  Have  mall  be  admitted  a  member  No  fiave_h  »j 
of  this  fociety.  er  to^bT  a° 

member. 

XI.  No  law  or  regulation  mail  contradicl  any  part  of  the  M  r  f  1* 
conftitution  of  the  fociety,  nor  mall  any  law  or  alteration  in  terin^  thecon- 
the  conftitution  be  made,  without  being  propofed  at  a  previ-  ftituSon,  and 
ous  meeting.  All  questions  mall  be  decided,  where  there  is  making  lays, 
a  divifion,  by  a  majority  of  votes.  In  thofe  cafes  where  the  and  of  deciding, 
fociety  is  equally  divided,  the  prefiding  officer  fhall  have  a  **uc  loas* 
calling  vote. 


officers 


f    s    ) 

The  Prcfent  Officers  of  the  Society. 

President  : 
BENJAMIN    FRANKLIN. 

Vice-Presidents: 
JAMES     PEMBERTON, 
JONATHAN    PENROSE. 

Secretaries  : 
BENJAMIN    RUSH, 
TENCH    COXE. 

Treasurer  : 
JAMES    STARR. 

Counsellors  : 
WILLIAM    LEWIS, 
J  O  H  N     D.     COXE, 
M  I  E  R  S     FISHER, 
WILLIAM    R  A  W  L  E. 

Electing  Committee  : 

Thomas  Harrison,  Norris  Jones,  :. 

Nathan  Boys,  Samuel  Richards,. 

James  White  all,  Francis- Bailey, 

James  Read,  Andrew  Carson, 

John  Todd,  John  Warner, 

Thomas  Armatt,  Jacob  Shoemaker,  jun. 

Acting  Committee  : 
Thomas  Shields,  William   Zane,  . 

Thomas  Parker,  John  Warner, 

John  Oldden,  William  M'Elhenney. 


An 


(9    ) 

An  ACT  for  the  gradual  Abolition 
of  Slavery. 

Section  I.  TIT  HENwe  contemplate  our  abhorrence  of  Treamble, 

VV  that  condition,  to  which  the  arms  and  ty- 
ranny of  Great  Britain  were  exerted  to  reduce  lis — when  we 
look  back  on  the  variety  of  dangers  to  which  we  have  been 
expofed,  and  how  miraculoufiy  our  wants  in  many  inilances 
have  been  1  applied,  and  our  deliverances  wrought,  when  even 
hope  and  human  fortitude  have  become  unequal  to  the  con- 
flict— we  are  unavoidably  led  to  a  ferious  and  grateful  fenfe  cf 
the  manifold  blefnngs  which  we  have  undefervedly  received 
from  the  hand  of  that  Being,  from  whom  every  good  and  per- 
fect gift  cometh.  ImpreiTed  with  thefe  ideas,  we  conceive  that 
it  is  our  duty,  and  we  rejoice  that  it  is  in  our  power,  to  extend 
a  portion  of  that  freedom  to  others,  which  hath  been  extended 
to  us  ;  and  a  releafe  from  that  ftate  of  thraldom,  to  which  we 
ourfelves  were  tyrannically  doomed,  and  from  which  we  have 
now  every  profpect  of  being  delivered.  It  is  not  for  us  to  en- 
quire why,  in  the  creation  of  mankind,  the  inhabitants  cf  the 
feveral  parts  of  the  earth  were  diftinguiijied  by  a  difference  in 
feature  or  complexion.  It  is  fufficient  to  know  that  all  are  the 
work  of  an  Almighty  Hand,  We  find  in  the  diftribution  of 
the  human  fpecies,  that  the  moll  fertile  as  well  as  the  molt  bar- 
ren parts  of  the  earth  are  inhabited  by  men  of  complexions  dif- 
ferent from  ours,  and  from  each  other  ;  from  whence  we  may 
reafonably,  as  well  as  religioufly,  infer,  that  he  who  placed 
them  in  their  various  fituations,  hath  extended  equally  his  care 
and  protection  to  all,  and  that  it  becometh  not  us  to  counteract: 
his  mercies.  We  efteem  it  a  peculiar  blemng  granted  to  us, 
that  we  are  enabled  this  day  to  add  one  more  ftep  to  univerfal 
civilization,  by  removing,  as  much  as  poflible,  the  forrows  of 
thofe  who  have  lived  in  undeferved  bondage,  and  from  which, 
by  the  aiTumed  authority  of  the  kings  of  Great  Britain,  no  ef- 
fectual, legal,  relief  could  be  obtained.  Weaned  by  a  long 
courfe  of  experience  from  thofe  narrow  prejudices  and  partiali- 
ties we  had  imbibed,  we  find  our  hearts  enlarged  with  kindnefs 
and  benevolence  towards  men  of  all  conditions  and  nations  ; 
and  we  conceive  ourfelves  at  this  particular  period  extraordina- 
rily called  upon,  by  the  bleffings  which  we  have  received,  to 
manifefr  the  fmcerity  of  our  profeilion,  and  to  give  a  fubflantial 
proof  of  our  gratitude. 

B  Setoff 


(      io     ) 

Sea**  II.  AND  WHEREAS  the  condition  of  thofe 
perfons  who  have  heretofore  been  denominated  Negro  and  Mu- 
latto fiaves,  has  been  attended  with  circumftances  which  not 
only  deprived  them  of  the  common  bleflings  that  they  were 
by  nature  entitled  to,  but  has  cart  them  into  the  deeper!  afflic- 
tions by  an  unnatural  reparation  and  fale  of  hufband  and  wife 
from  each  other  and  from  their  children — an  injury,  the  great- 
nefs  of  which  can  only  "be  conceived  by  fuppoiing  that  we  were 
in  the  fame  unhappy  cafe.  In  juftice,  therefore,  to  perfons  fo 
unhappily  circumfcanced,  and  who,  having  no  profpedt  before 
them  whereon  they  may  reft  their  forrows  and  their  hopes,  have 
no  reafonable  inducement  to  render  their  fervice  to  fociety, 
which  otherwife  they  might ;  and  aifo  in  grateful  commemoration 
of  our  own  happy  deliverance  from  that  Hate  of  unconditional 
fubmifiion  to  which  we  were  doomed  by  the  tyranny  of  Britain. 

No  child  born      Seaion  III.     Be  it  enafted,  and  it  is  hereby  enabled,  by  the 
hereafter  to  be  reprefentatiyes  of  the  freemen  of  the  commonwealth  of  Penn-  - 
a  Have,  fylvania,  in  general  aifembly  met,  and  by  the  authority  of  the 

fame,  That  all  perfons,  as  well  Negroes  and  Mulattoes  and 
others,  who  (hall  be  born  within  this  ftate  from  and  after  the 
pairing  of  this  act,  fhall  net  be  deemed  and  considered  as  fer- 
vants  for  life,  or  Haves ;  and  that  all  fervitude  for  life,  or  fla- 
very  of  children,  in  confequence  of  the  ilavery  of  their  mothers, 
in  the  cafe  of  all  children  born  within  this  fiate,  from  and  after 
the  palling  of  this  ad  as  aforefaid,  mall  be,  and  hereby  is  ut- 
terly taken  away,  extinguiihed  and  forever  aboliihed. 

Ne^ro   and  Seffion  IV.    Provided  always,  and  be  it  further  enacled,  by 

Mulatto    chil-  the  authority  aforefaid,  That  every  Negro  and  Mulatto  child 
dren  to  be  fer-  born  within  this  fcate  after  the  pairing  of  this  act  as  aforefaid 
vants  till  28    ^w|10  woui^  ^n  cafe  t^jis  aft  had  not  been  made,  have  been  born 
years  or  age.     ^  fetymt  for  yQ3Vs^  C(  ijfe>  or  a  f]ave)  foall  be  deemed  to  be, 
and  mail  be,  by  virtue  of  this  aft,  the  fervant  of  fuch  perfon 
or  his  or  her  affigns,  who  would,  in  fuch  cafe,  have  been  en- 
titled to  the  fervice  of  fuch  child,  until  fuch  child  fhall  attain 
unto  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years,  in  the  manner  and  on  the 
conditions  whereon  fervants  bound  by  indenture  for  four  years 
are  or  may  be  retained  and   holden  ;  and  fhall  be  liable  to 
like  correction  and  punifhment,  and  entitled  to  like  relief  in 
.  cafe  he  or  (he  be  evilly  treated  by  his  or  her  mailer  or  miitrefs, 
and  to  like  freedom  dues  and  other  privileges  as  fervants  bound 
by  indenture  for  four  years  are  or  may  be  entitled,  unlefs  the 
perfon  to  whom  the  fervice  of  any  fuch  child  fhall  belong  fhall 
abandon  his  or  her  claim  to  the  fame  ;  in  which  cafe  the  over- 
feers  of  the  poor  of  the  city,  townihip  or  diftrift  refpeftively, 

where 


(    n    ) 

where  fucli  child  fhall  be  fo  abandoned,  fhall  by  Indenture  bind 
out  every  child,  fo  abandoned,  as  an  apprentice  for  a  time  not 
exceeding-  the  age  herein  before  limited  for  the  fervice  of  fuch 
children. 

Sekion  V.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  afore-  Allflaves  to  be 
faid,  That  every  perfon,  who  is  or  fhali  be  the  owner  of  any  j£glftered  ^he- 
Negro  or  Mulatto  Have  or  fervant  for  life,  or  till  the  age  of  thir-  November" 
tv-one  years,  now  within  this  ftate,  or  his  lawful  attorney,  nexc. 
fhall  on  or  before  the  faid  firft  day  of  November  next,  deliver 
or  caufe  to  be  delivered  in  writing  to  the  clerk  of  the  peace  of 
the  county,  or  ttethe  clerk  of  the  court  of  record  of  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  in  which  he  or  ihe  fnall  refpecHvely  inhabit,  the 
name,  and  furname,  and  occupation  or  profeffion  of  fuch  own- 
er, and  the  name  of  the  county  and  townfhip,  diftricl:  or  ward 
wherein  he  or  Ihe  refideth  ;  and  alfo  the  name  and  names  of 
any  fuch  Have  and  Haves,  and  fervant  and  fervants  for  life  or 
till  the  age  of  thirty-one  years,  together  with  their  ages  and 
fexes  feverally  and  reflectively  (tt  forth  and  annexed,  by  fuch 
perfon  owned  or  ftatedly  employed  and  their  being  within  this 
ftate,  in  order  to  afcertain  and  diftinguift  the  Haves  and  fer- 
vants  for  life  and  till  the  age  of  thirty -one  years,  within  this 
ftate,  who  fhall  be  fuch,  on  the  faid  firft  day  of  November  next, 
from  all  other  perfons  ;  which  particulars  fhall  by  faid  clerk  of 
the  feffions  and  clerk  of  the  faid  court  be  entered  in  books  to 
be  provided  for  that  purpofe  by  the  faid  clerks  ;  and  that  no 
Negro  or  Mulatto,  now  within  this  ftate, ,  fhall  from  and  after 
the  faid  firft  day  of  November,  be  deemed  a  flave  or  fervant 
for  life,  or  till  the  age  of  thirty-one  years,  unlefs  his  or  her 
name  fhall  be  entered  as  aforefaid  on  fuch  record,  except  fuch 
Negro  and  Mulatto  Haves  and  fervants  as  are  herein  after  ex- 
cepted ;  the  fame  clerk  to  be  entitled  to  a  fee  of  two  dollars 
for  each  Have  or  fervant  fo  entered  as  aforefaid  from  the  trea- 
furer  of  the  county,  to  be  allowed  to  him  in  his  accounts. 

Seffion  VI.     Provided  always,  That  any  perfon  in  whom  Owners  of 

the  ownerfhip  or  right  to  the  fervice  of  any  Negro  or  Mulatto  Haves,  though 

fhall  be  veiled  at  the  paffingr  of  this  aft,  other  than  fuch  as  are  "°;  re&X?& 
i        •    i     r  i   i  •     6  i       i     •  ^  j     •    -a     „        to  be  liable  for 

herein  berore  excepted,  his  or  her  heirs,  executors,  adminiltrators  tjie-r  {upporc 

and  affigns,  and  all  and  every  of  them  feverally  fhall  be  liable  unlefs,  &c. 
to  the  overfeers  of  the  poor  of  the  city,  townfhip  or  diftricl:  to 
which  any  fuch  Negro  or  Mulatto  fhall  become  chargeable,  for 
fuch  neceffary  expence,  with  cofls  of  fuit  thereon-  as  fuch  over- 
feers may  be  put  to,  through  the  neglect  of  the  owner,  mafter 
or  miftrefs  of  fuch  Negro  or  Mulatto  ;  notwitbftanding  the 
name  and  other  defcrptions  of  fuch  Negro  or  Mulatto  fhall  not 

be 


\        T7T     ) 

>e  entered  and  recorded  as  aforefaid  ;  unlefs  his  or  her  maftef 
or  owner  fhall  before  fuch  Have  ©r  fervant  attain  his  or  her  twen- 
ty-eighth year,  execute  and  record  in  the  proper  county;  a  deed 
or  inftrument,  fecuring  to  fuch  iiave  or  fervant,  his  or  her  free- 
dom. 

Negroes,  &c.  SeBion  VII.  And  be  it  further  enacled  by  the  authority 
to  be  tried  like  aforefaid,  That  the  offences,and  crimes  of  Negroes  and  Mulat- 
other  mhabi-  toeSj  as  wej|  f]aves  and  fervants  as  freemen,  ftiall  be  enquired 
of,  adjudged,  corrected  and  punifhed  in  like  manner  as  the  of- 
fences and  crimes  of  the  other  inhabitants  of  this  ftate  are  and 
fhall  be  enquired  of,  adjudged,  corrected  and  punifhed,  and 
not  otherwife  ;  except  that  a  Have  fnall  not  be*admitted  to  bear 
witnefs  againit  a  freeman. 

Jury  to  value  SeBion  VIII.  And  be  it  further  enacled  by  the  authority 
in  e»fe  of  fen-_aforefaid,  That  in  all  cafes,  wherein  fentence  of  death  fhall  be 
^tenceor  death,  pronounced  againit  a  Have,  the  jury  before  whom  he  or  me 
fnall  be  tried,  mail  appraife  and  declare  the  value  of  fuch  Have  ; 
and  in  cafe  fuch  fentence  be  executed,  the  court  fhall  make  an 
order  on  the  ftate  treafurer,  payable  to  the  owner  for  the  fame 
and  for  the  colts  of  profecution  ;  but  in  cafe  of  remiifion  or 

mitigation,  for  the  coils  only, 
v 

Regard  for  SeBion  IX.     And  be  it  further  ena&ed  by  the  authority 

taking  up  run*  aforefaid,  That  the  reward  for  taking  up  runaway  and  abfcond- 
a/ways,     fame  ing  Negro  and  Mulatto  Haves  and  fervants,  and  the  penalties 
astor^hite     for  enticing  away,  dealing  with,  or  harbouring,  concealing  or 
employing  Negro  and  Mulatto  flaves  and  fervants,  fhall  be  the 
fame,  and  fhall  be  recovered  in  like  manner  as  in  cafe  of  fer- 
vants bound  for  four  years. 

None  to  be  SeBion  X.     And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  afore- 

deemed  llaves,  fcih,  That  no  man  or  woman  of  any  nation  or  colour,  except 
**![  ~?  re'  the  Negroes  or  Mulattoes  who  mall  be  regiftered  as  aforefaid, 
(hall  at  any  time  hereafter  be  deemed,  adjudged  or  hclden 
within  the  territories  of  this  commonwealth  as  flaves  or  fer- 
vants for  life,  but  as  free-men  and  free- women  ;  except  the 
domeftic  flaves  attending  upon  delegates  in  congrefs  from  the 
other  American  ftates,  foreign  miniiters  and  confuls,  and  per- 
fons  pafting  through  or  fojourning  in  this  ftate  and  not  becom- 
ing refident  therein,  and  fearnen  employed  in  fhips  not  belong- 
ing to  any  inhabitant  of  this  ftate,  nor  employed  in  any  fhip 
owned  by  any  fuch  inhabitant.  Provided  fuch  domeiHc  flaves 
be  not  aliened  or  fold  to  any  inhabitant,  nor  (except  in  the  cafe 
of  members  of  congrefs,  foreign  minifters  and  confuls)  retain* 
id  in  this  ftate  longer  than  iix  months*  StiSi9ti 


SeSion  XL     Provided  always,  and  be  it  further  enacted  by  Except  rtma? 
th-  authority  aforefaid,  That  this  act  or  any  thing  in  it  contain-  "ways  from  <** 
ed,  fhall  not  give  i-ny  relief  or  '/.eUc.r  to  any  abfconc^ing  or  ther  ftates. 
run-away  Negro  or  Mulatto  flaye  c:  fervant,  who  .as  aliented 
himfelf,  or  fhall  abfent  hjmfelf  from  his  or  her    v/ner,  mafter 
or  miitrefs  refiding  in  any  other  ftate  or  country  but  Aich  ow- 
ner, mailer  or  miftrefs  fhall  have  like  right  an,i  aid  to  demand, 
claim  and  take  away  his  fla^e  or  fervant,  as  he  might  have  had 
in  cafe  this  act  had  not  been  made  :     And  that  ail  Negro  and  Slaves  carried 
Mulatto  flaves  now  owned  and  heretofore  refident  in  this  ftate,  r.way\  ^c" 
who  have  abfented  themfeives,  or  been  clandefb'neiy  carried  jj°tm  z  ^y  ^ 
away,  or  who  may  be  ernployed  abroad  as  feai      1  an<  have  not  brought   back 
returned  or  been  brought  oaek  to  their  owners,  mailers  or  mif-  and  registered* 
treffes,  before  the  paffing  of  this  aft,  may  within  five  years  be 
regiftered  as  effectually  as  is  ordered  by  this  acl      neerning  thofe 
who  are  now  within  the  ftate,  en  producing  fuch  (lave  before 
any  two  indices  of  the  peace,  and  fatisfying  the  faid  jufttces  by 
due  proof  of  the  former  reftdence,  abfcondihg,  taking  away,  or 
abfenee  of  fuch  flaves  as  aforefaid ;  whe  n  (hall  uireft: 

and  order  the  faid  flave  to  be  entered  on  the  record  as  aforefaid. 


•eamble* 


Seaion  XII.    AND  WHEREAS  attempts  may  be  made  P. 
to  evade  this  acl,  by  introducing  into  this  ftate  Negroes  and  Mu- 
lattoes  bound  by  covenant,  to  ferve  for  long  and  unreafcnable 
terms  of  years,  if  the  fame  be  not  prevented  : 


Se&ion  XIII.    Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  authority  afore-  No  Negroes  o* 


prentice  were,  at  the  commencement  of  fuch  fervitude  or  ap-  ger  than  fevea 
prenticeihip,   under  the  age  of  twenty-one  years ;   in  which  years, 
cafe  fuch  Negro  or  Mulatto  may  be  holden  as  a  fervant  or  ap- 
prentice reflectively,  according  to  the  covenant,   as  the  cafe 
fhall  be,  until  he  or  (he  fhall  attain  the  age  of  twenty-eight 
years,  but  no  longer. 

Se&ton  XIV.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  Repeal  cf  for- 
aforefaid,  That  an  aft  of  affembly  of  the  province  of  Pennfyl-  raer  ai3:s* 
vania,  paffed  in  the  year  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  five, 
entitled,  <(  An  aft  for  the  trial  of  Negroes  f  and  another  act 
of  affembly  of  the  faid  province,  paffed  in  the  year  one  thou- 
find  feven  hundred  and  twenty-five,  entitled,  "  An  aft  for  the 
better  regulating  of  Negroes  in  this  province;"  and  another 
aft  of  affembly  of  the  faid  province,  palled  in  the  year  one  thou- 
fand kvtn  hundred  and  fixty-one,  entitled,  "  An  aft  for  lay. 


(     *4    ) 


lag  a  duty  on  Negro  and  Mulatto  Haves  imported  into  this 
province  ;"  and  alfo  another  act  of  aflembly  of  the  faid  pro- 
vince, pafTed  in  the  year  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  feven- 
ty-three,  entitled,  f<  An  act  for  making  perpetual  an  act  for 
laying  a  duty  on  Negro  and  Mulatto  flaves  imported  into  this 
province  ;  and  for  laying  an  additional  duty  on  faid  flaves/* 
fhall  be,  and  are  hereby  repealed,  annulled  and  made  void. 


JOHN  BAYARD,   Speaker. 


"Enabled  into  a  Lanjo  at  Philadelphia,  on  1 
Wednefday,  the  fiyft  Day  of  March,  > 
Anna  Domini,  1780. 


THOMAS   PAINE, 

Clerk  of  the  Generrl  Ajjembly* 


An  A  C  T  to  give  Relief  to  certain 
Perfons  taking  Refuge  in  this  State, 
with  RefpeH  to  their  Slaves. 

Preamble.        SeSion  I.  t  If  H  E  R  E  A  S  many  virtuous  citizens  of 

V  V     America,  and  inhabitants  of  itates  that  have 

been  invaded,  are  obliged  by  the  power  of  the  enemy,  to  take 

refuge  in  this  ft  ate.     AND  W  H  E  R  E  A  S  it  is  juft  and  ne- 

ceifary  that  the  property  of  fuch  perfons  mould  be  protected. 

Perfons  taking      Seclion  II.    Be  it  therefore  enacted,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted, 

refuge,  may     by  the  reprefentatives  of  the  freemen  of  the  commonwealth  of 

Save1"  life  r      Pennfylvania,  in  general  aHembly  met,  and  by  the  authority 

'  of  the  fame,  That  all  and  every  perfon  and  perfons,  under  the 

above  defcription,  now  refiding  in  this  itate,  or  who  hereafter 

may  be  in  like  circumftances,  mall  retain,  polfefs  .and  hold 

their  flaves  ;  any  thing  in  the  "  Act  for  the  gradual  abolition 

of  flavery,'">  parted  the  firft  day  of  March,  one  thoufand  feven 

hundred  and  eighty,  to  the  contrary  notwithftanding. 

SeSiion  III.  Provided  always,  That  the  owner  or  owners 
I™ Ve-iiW7  of  fuch  flaves>  his  or  theIr  law*"ul  attorney,  .fhall,  'm  fix  months 
within  fix  fr°m  tne  paiTmg  of  this  act,  or  in  fix  months  after  their  arrival 
months.  in  this  ftate,  as  the  cafe  may  be,  regifter  faid  flaves  in  manner 

and 


(     '5    ) 

and  form  dire&ed  in  the  fifth  feclion  of  the  a£l  above  mention-  And  not  {old 

ed,  for  the  gradual  abolition  of  flavtry.     And  be  it  further  or  retained  in 

provided,  That  fuch  Haves  fhall  not  be  aliened  or  fold  to  any  che  ftate  lon~ 

inhabitant,  nor  retained  in  this  ftate  as  liases  longer  than  fix  gcr    u  n  ^ 

iri  i    r  r    i  r  •!•-,  »^.    months  arter 

months  alter  tue  concmiion  ol  the  prelent  war  with  Great  Bn-  thevar. 

tain. 

Setlion  IV.     And  be  it  alfo  provided  and  declared,  That  Provifo* 
nothing  herein  contained,  fhall  be  deemed,  conftrued,  or  taken 
to  enflave  any  perfon  or  perfons,  who  have  been  emancipated 
or  freed  under  or  by  virtue  of  the  a&  aforefaid. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Houfe, 

Frederick  A.  iviuhlenberg,  Speaker, 


Enacled  into  a  Law  at  Philadelphia 
on  Monday,  thefirflDayofOclober, 
Anno  Domini,   1781. 


■\ 


Samuel  Sterrett, 

Clerk  of  the  General  Ajemblj. 


=3K3S£SSS^23Sa